"V" for Vendetta (2005)

Oh, Wachowski, Wachowski.....you guys are up to it again, huh? You may remember the Wachowski brothers from a little movie called The Matrix and its sequels. Never heard of it? Yeah, I had to go look it up myself. Apparently it did well, though.

In all seriousness, the brothers have outdone themselves this time. All controversy aside about their writing credibility, their movies tend to be fantastic. (they settled out of court, all but an admission of guilt, for having stolen the stories from some woman. You can read more about that here. Be your own judge.)

I will say, there's some corniness in most of their movies, a great deal of it in the later Matrix movies, but the STORIES are always groundbreaking and revolutionary for their time.

Now, about this V for Vendetta flick. The synopsis from imdb.com reads, "A shadowy freedom fighter known only as "V" uses terrorist tactics to fight against his totalitarian society. Upon rescuing a girl from the secret police, he also finds his best chance at having an ally." I think that pretty much sums it up.

I think it's high time we saw some revolutionary films, some more films like Fight Club that are written to call people to arms, to get them off their butts and feeling less afraid of the world around us, and this movie does just that. Not just the politically motivating, fight for a cause kind of movies, I'm sick of those...but the broader, "aren't you all sick of life the way it is" movies. It is a very empowering movie, but does so through Evey's (Natalie Portman) personal journey instead of coming across as too preachy.

The pace of the movie is QUITE dragging. Some of the issues you're waiting to have resolved stay on the cusp of resolution for so long that you feel like the movie just won't end. Some of the others are resolved so early that you feel like the movie should be over, but it's not. Aside from this pacing issue, all of the drama and plot points are unconventionally strewn about the story in a POSITIVE way. Just don't be in a hurry to get out of your seat, even though the movie is a standard two hours.

Also, there is some typical Wachowski cheese. Gratuitous bloody slow-mo shots, supernatural feats without solid explanations, and a few unresolved story elements.

Why, with all of these problems, is this still a good movie? Because of Evey's story. Natalie Portman's best role ever, by far, knocks this movie out of the park. Her story, her path alongside "V" is the same road everyone takes toward becoming the master of his or her own destiny. I think Tyler Durden in Fight Club said it best - "It's only after you've lost everything that you're free to do anything."

If you have a chance, and some patience, check this movie out. If you're looking for an action movie, leave it be. If you like 1984 (the novel), the Matrix, or Fight Club, this is one you will also find fits (cheesily, I admit) in that category.

Failure to Launch

I guess the only thing to say is, "Yay, another romantic comedy!" But at least it was "yay" and not "boo".

If you can totally suspend your disbelief and be ok with the fact that Sarah Jessica Parker's job is ridiculous and that no man that looks like Matthew McConaughey would live with his parents one MINUTE longer than he has to, then it's a great movie. The humor is strong, and smart, there was a good balance of moronic slapstick moments and wittiness.

The two supporting actors, Matthew's buds in the movie, did a great job worthy of noting. They were one of the strongest parts of the movie, really bringing the male audience to the movie without jamming it down your throat.

The story is so completely typical, surrounded in a new setting (SJP's occupation as the "son-mover-outer") with gorgeous actors and actresses. It's funny but not memorable, emotional but not moving. Good date movie, afternoon-with-nothing-else-on movie, and GREAT if you love either one of the leads.

Worth mentioning I think is Zooey Deschanel. She's flying below the radar of popularity, but shows up in a lot of movies. She REALLY delivers an excellent performance in this movie opposite Justin Bartha, both of which have great careers ahead of them if they don't do anything stupid. Justin Bartha was comic relief in National Treasure, and appears to be working on a tv series now.

If I see that Matthew McConaughey "I'm hot and I know it so I'm going to smile innocently like I don't know it so you can watch me smile innocently" look one more time, I'm going to ban him from making movies. Because I can do that. Single handedly. Yes sir.

Anyway, the movie is straightforward, nothing too obnoxious (except maybe Terry Bradshaw's naked ass and a scene with a giggling lizard. Yeah, they're both in there.). But nothing too memorable. Great if you like all the shots of pretty people and acting legends that should totally be doing better things (ahem....Kathy *cough, cough* Bates). Wonderful if you can just sit back sometimes and enjoy the ride without needing it to be a groundbreaking movie.

Paradise Now

Paradise Now is the story of two Palestinian friends that have been given the honor of becoming suicide bombers (yes, the honor) to avenge the death of a key figure in the liberation of Palestine.

This movie is Oscar-nominated for best foriegn language film, which I think is great. I'm not sure how to really review this movie, because the whole thing is so untraditional. There isn't much I can compare it against.

The story is told well, and the acting is true and sincere. The pacing of the story is medium-slow, and the lesson learned is moving. I think most people have a fairly strong stance in the States against suicide bombing, and most of us are sure that's not the way to accomplish any true goals. However, that's the debate put to the test in this film, and going through the minds of two men that are making that choice. Who better to debate the issue?

I felt like in the middle east, this film probably has a much wider impact, is a much braver thing to do, and deserves all the praise in the world for that. As an entertainment piece, the movie falls short of "fun" if you know what I mean.

The story did take some unexpected turns, I was completely spellbound sitting in the theater watching credits roll, and if you see this movie you'll understand why. But it just didn't click, even with all that enthralling stuff.

This was an "open people's eyes" kind of a movie, and I feel like mine were already open. But, if you haven't quite made up your mind on the suicide bomber issue, maybe you'll learn something and enjoy the movie? Who knows.

I feel really strange about this movie. I've got almost nothing of any real value to say about it, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. It's just one of those heavy, well-executed, "wish I'd gone to see something a little more fun" films.

I think that all movies, politically motivated or not, have to stay in their place as MOVIES. This is an entertainment medium, not a platform for influencing lives. I mean, you can influence lives, sure, and you can even give a slice-of-life thing a try (even if it's a suicide bomber's slice-of-life) but there's still an element of entertainment that should be encouraged and an element of preachniess that should be beaten into the ground.

The protagonist said it best when asked what his favorite genre of movie is......"Is there a boring one?" and it is evident that the filmmaker's agreed with that.